Stopping Smoking Protects Your Brain Health

Research shows that those who smoke are more likely to develop dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.

According to Alzheimer’s Research UK, dementia is the most feared health condition for people over the age of 55 – more than any other life-threatening disease including cancer and diabetes.

Yet YouGov data commissioned by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) revealed 19% of people in the south east who smoke know that smoking increases the risk of dementia, compared to 76% who know that smoking causes lung diseases or cancers. You can find out more by watching this short video from Dr Chi Udeh-Momoh, a neuroscientist working on dementia prevention at Imperial College London.

What’s the connection between smoking and dementia?

Smoking harms the vascular system (heart and blood vessels) and the brain. Studies also suggest that quitting smoking reduces this risk substantially. Smoking has been identified as one of twelve risk factors that if eliminated entirely, could collectively prevent or delay up to 40% of dementia cases.

Take action!

The good news is that it is never too late to quit smoking and to start to reap the many health (and financial) benefits of being smokefree.
Smokers are three times more likely to succeed in quitting with help from a trained professional than with willpower alone.
To get started, contact our local Stop Smoking Service, Smokefreelife Berkshire, for free confidential advice and behavioural support:

0800 622 6360
Text QUIT to 66777
www.smokefreelifeberkshire.com
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